Improvement in fire and water proof cements



l UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

IMPROVEMENT iN FIRE AND WATER PROOF CEMENTS.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 4,420, dated March 14, 1846.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, 'WVILLIAM YATES, of Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, up-

h'olsterer, and'DENIs DOLAN, of the same place, scagliola manufacturer, have invented a new and Improved Plastic Manufacture or Composition; and we do herebydeclare that the following is a full and exact description.

The nature of our invention consists of the novel and peculiar combination of certain materials employed in the manufacture of cements and other plastic compositions, and also in the process and method whereby such novel and'intimate combinations of materials are effected.

The differences in the proportions and of the materials employed will-depend upon whether the composition required be for decorative, hydraulic, or fire-proof purposes. Hitherto most plastic compositions or cements concrete or set on the outer surface or side next to the atmosphere first, and from this cause they are always found liable to be detachedor separated from the wall or whatever surface they may be placed upon, and hence ultimately become they may be placed upon from the weakness or insufficiency of bond or'union between the cement or plaster and the ground upon which it may have been placed.

The chief objects we have in view in making ourimprovements are to produceaplastic composition that will set or concrete first upon'the surface upon which it is applied, and so on gradually untilit arrives at the outer face of the work,and at the same-time have'such a'dhesive or growing qualities to the material that it will scarcely be possible by any outward force or violence to destroy or overcome. that adhesion, and alsoto produce such a com-' position as will resist the action of fire or .water. These improved plastic compositions or manufactures may be appliedjto any pur-- pose for which ordinary mortar, plaster, or cement is used, either in setting bricks or'sto'ne's,

plastering walls or ceilings, and ornamental and other works.

Thejpreparationis formed, as in thetbllowin g formula, by two separate processes, the result of which by admixture is made to act upon each other: Take one pound of bark ore-quarter-of a pound of gall-nuts, which crush or grind fine, and boil them in two quarts of water, continuing the heat until one-half of the water has evaporated, so that only one'quart shall remain, which mix with seven pounds of dry fire-clay, employiugas much of thisdecoction as the last-mentioned quantity of dry fireclay will absorb. Dry the clay thus prepared, then grind,and repeat the operation with such a quantity of the like decoction as will insure the saturation of the fire-clay by the tannin principle, or, in other words,putinto the clay as much tannin as it is capable of containing. Dry the clay in this state again, and finally grind orotherwise reduce it to the stateof fine powder. Where bark of gall-nuts is not at hand, any other tannin may be used in equivalent proportions. This is the first preparation. The second is made as follows, namely: Dissolve half a pound of glue in a pint of-water. To the solution add aquarterof a pound of slaked or hydraulic lime, and let the mass be brought by the addition of waterto' the consistency of a beaten egg or thick cream. This mixture'must .be boiled'and carefully mixed by stirring until it is thoroughly blended and of uniform constitution. Now add sevenpounds of dry fire-clay and work the materials .together into a paste or putty, and then'dryithe 'massproduced. The mode of dryingresorted to is eitherito expose it to the action of the sun or toan artificial heat not exceeding that of boiling water-or, in other words, not'ab'ove two hundred and twelve degrees of tempera- 'ture. WVhen it has thus been. rendered perfectly 'dry, break itinto lumps, and then by a' niill or otherwise grind 0r pulverize thewhole of the mass to the state of finepowder. This may be considered as the second preparatory process, being distinct from the preceding. Thesetwo'separate compounds are now to. be

I carefully and ultimately blended togetherum sulphate of lime, (plaster-of-paris,) and mix all well together by running it through sieves or riddles, orin an yother way. To these materials in this state add of silica sixteen parts, or twice the weight of sulphate of lime, in the state of well-washed and fine dry sand, or in a corresponding proportion, when, instead of the sand and any other silicious substance-as granitestone or flint, for example--is employed. When the whole has been duly mixed the process .is finished and the article obtained. It is for some purposes found advantageous to add afterward a small quantity of solution of alum, and, though this addition is not necessary, it is claimed as part of the process, fitting the article better for peculiar applications, and thus to be used oroinitted as occasion may require, and therefore claimed as under the protection of the patent. The substance thus obtained, either with or without the alum, is used by adding water to it until it is of the usual consistency of common mortar or plaster, and applying it in the ordinary way to walls, ceilings, interior coatings, and other surfaces.

, The preparation as above described is applicable to the purposes of rendering fire-proof buildings, boxes, or safes for the-preservation of deeds or other articles, and for the protection of property under any circumstances in which the preparation is used as a fire-resiststrength, and useful for building water-walls,

docks, or arches, or any other structure where strength and water resistive power arerequired.

Thirdly, for colored or fancy plaster composition or cement-such as imitation marble, scagliola, or other such like fancy work-the following alteration is required in the formula: One pound of glue to two ounces of good slaked lime, which must be boiled and diluted, as above described in preparing the fire-proof cement, and then to one part of this mixture add the coloring-matter and wet-grind it, as in preparing common paint or coloring, after which carefully dry and grind it to fine powder. To the other part add about fourteen pounds of carbonate or sulphate of barytes, or any other appropriate mineral instead of fire-clay, which make into paste or putty, and then dry and pulveri'ze and grind to fine dust or flour, as in preparing the first-described or fire cement, and when so ground mix these two separate powders together. Then add of sulphate of lime eight times the weight of the barytes or other mineral. In this colored plaster or cement the artist or operator must use his own judgment in mixing or combining the colors that aresuitable to produce anyparticular or required tint or effect in cplor. This cement is intended for forming any decorative work that may be required-that is, by first forming a ground-work of the first-described or fire-proof cement, upon which put a skimming or coating of the colored cement, and they will both concrete together, forming a solid substance, and when dry can be highly polished.

If any imitation or artificial marble be re quired, mix the colors and apply them as in producing ordinary scagliola and if the foundation be the fire-proof cement the most beautiful. columns, pilasters, pannels, and slabs or moldings may be formed, and with this advantage that, owing to the adhesivene'ss and.

union of these two mixtures or cement, blistering and shelling oft',as in scagliola work, will not occur. The cement may also be laid in solid colors and finished to a most beautiful surface. Its efl'ect is exceedingly beautiful, and walls may he wrought ordecorated in panels, figures, flowers, 850., as desired.

In mixing the improved cement the flooring or pavement we put coarsely ground-or pulverized granite instead of sand in the last coat or skimming, mixed with oxide of lead instead of fire-clay, and it forms upon the fire-proof cement a perfectly secure fireproof floor with a surface harder than that of an ordinary stone, and may be employed as a plain or ornamental pavement or flooring if laid in the form of Mosaic tiles or tracery, as different colored granite may be procured with ease or otherwise.

To form a composition to represent woodcarving, cornices, or any ornamental decoration, where the weight of the plaster is objectionable, take to one hundred-weight of sulphate of lime the quantity of fire-clay and glue as in our second preparation, add three times the quantity of these ingredients, by measure or bulk, of ground spent bark,(such as the tanners throw away,) which must first have been well washed and dried in an oven or kiln and ground as fine as possible; and where strength in the composition is requisite, as in making benches, seats, or tables, take the hydraulic mixture of clay and glue-that is, put, instead of clay, an equivalent of the oxide of lead, iron,

or copper, and blend all well together. Where bark is not obtainable take the same quantity of common sawdust or an equivalent quantity or amount of paper or woolen, silk, linen, or cotton fabrics, which must be previously well boiled and cleansed from all extraneous matter, and then well ground or pulverized to a fine powder. To three parts of this powder add the first and second preparations with the sulphate'of lime, as in the fire-proof cement.

'Blend all well together. To this mixture add a solution of water and glue sufficient to make it of the consistency of paste or putt-y, which press into molds well oiled to prevent the same from adhering to the molds. A hand-press will greatly add to the perfecting of the impressions of the carvings. It is found that the composition is capableof being mixed advantageously with other known cements, and this application is claimed as part of the discovery to be included in the patent.

We wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not intend to confine ourselves to any of the exact proportions of these ingredients to beuscd in the manner and for thepurposes We do not claim as of our invention any of before-named well-known constituents; but

What we claim is- The mixing andapplication of such constituents in the novel and peculiar mode befor'e described.

WILLIAM YATES. DENIS DOLAN. q 

